Energy reclamation from fluid-moving systems

ABSTRACT

A system includes a building, a fluid-moving system, and a turbine system. The fluid-moving system includes one or more conduits in or coupled to the data center and a pump. The pump moves fluid through the conduits. The turbine system includes a turbine and generator. The turbine has a runner in a flow of fluid in one of the conduits. The generator produces electricity from rotation of the runner.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/659,644, filed Oct. 24, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,284,850, which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

A typical commercial or industrial building includes fluid systems thatcarry fluids from one place to another within the building. Examples offluid systems in buildings include utility water systems for personaluse, process water systems for industrial use, cooling systems, heatingsystems, and wastewater removal systems. The initial and ongoing costsof installing and operating fluid systems may add substantial cost andcomplexity to the building and its operation. In addition, in manybuildings, fluid systems may be relatively inefficient in that asubstantial amount of energy (for example, thermal, kinetic, andpotential energy) is wasted.

Commercial and industrial buildings often include components and systemsto provide back-up power to electrical systems in the event of a failureof components or systems in a primary electrical power system. Providingfull redundancy of electrical power may, however, be costly both interms of capital costs (in that in may require a large number ofexpensive switchboard, UPSs, and PDUs, for example) and in terms ofcosts of operation and maintenance. In addition, some facilities do notprovide redundant power for cooling systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a data center including a turbinesystem for reclaiming energy from a cooling system in the data center.

FIG. 2 is a detail view of a turbine system including a runner in aconduit of the fluid-moving system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a datacenter building with fluid-flow energy reclamation systems.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a turbine system having a sealedgenerator unit installed in a fluid conduit.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of an energy recovery system with aturbine system having a stator ring.

FIG. 6 is cross sectional view of one embodiment of a turbine systemhaving a generator mounted on the periphery of a pipe.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view illustrating a generator that can bedriven by a turbine.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a turbine system that includescounter-rotating runners.

FIG. 9 illustrates a system with a variable flow mechanism for a turbineof an energy recovery system.

FIG. 10 illustrates generating power from a flow of fluid in a building.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the drawings and detaileddescription thereto are not intended to limit the invention to theparticular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within thespirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims. The headings used herein are for organizational purposes onlyand are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description orthe claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is usedin a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), ratherthan the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words“include,” “including,” and “includes” mean including, but not limitedto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Systems and methods for reclaiming or recovering energy from movingfluids are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a data centerincludes a computing room, computing devices in the computing room, afluid-moving system, a turbine system, and an electrical energy storagedevice. The fluid-moving system includes one or more conduits in orcoupled to the data center and a pump. The pump moves fluid through theconduits. The turbine system includes a turbine and generator. Theturbine has a runner in a flow of fluid in one of the conduits. Thegenerator produces electricity from rotation of the runner. Anelectrical energy storage device may store electrical energy produced bythe generator. The electrical energy storage device can supplyelectrical power to the liquid-moving system, the computing devices, orboth.

According to one embodiment, a system includes a building, afluid-moving system, and a turbine system. The fluid-moving systemincludes one or more conduits in or coupled to the data center and apump. The pump moves liquid through the conduits. The turbine systemincludes a turbine and generator. The turbine has a runner in a flow ofliquid in one of the conduits. The generator produces electricity fromrotation of the runner.

According to one embodiment, a method of generating power includesplacing a turbine system in a flow of liquid in a conduit passingthrough a building, generating electricity from a flow of the liquidthrough or across at least a portion of a runner of the turbine system,and transmitting electrical power from the turbine system to anelectrical energy storage device.

As used herein, a “conduit” means a pipe, cylinder, tube, or channel, orcombination of such elements, that can be used to convey a fluid fromone location to another. A conduit may have any cross section, includingsquare, rectangular, circular, ovate, or irregular. A conduit may have auniform cross sectional area over its length or a varying crosssectional area over its length. A conduit may, for example, include aconverging section in which the cross sectional area of the conduitdecreases, a diverging section in which the cross sectional area of theconduit increases, or both.

As used herein, “fluid-moving system” means a system that provides ormoves fluid to, or removes fluid from, one or more systems orcomponents. A fluid in a fluid-moving system may be a liquid, a gas, ora combination thereof.

As used herein, “hydrokinetic” power generation means generating powerby harnessing kinetic energy of moving water.

As used herein, a “pump” means a system or device that can move fluid.

As used herein, a “runner” means an element, or combination of elements,of a turbine that moves in response to fluid flow. Examples of a runnerinclude a rotor, a propeller, a waterwheel, or a screw.

As used herein, a “turbine” means a device or system that producesrotary motion from a moving fluid. Examples of turbine types include ablade turbine, helix turbine, bladeless turbine, and statorless turbine.A turbine may be shrouded or unshrouded.

As used herein, a “turbine system” means a system that includes one ormore turbines.

As used herein, a “screening system” means a system, device, or elementthat can block or catch objects in a flow of fluid while allowing a flowof fluid through. Examples of screening devices include a mesh, a grate,a grid, or a screen.

As used herein, “air moving device” includes any device, element,system, or combination thereof that can move air. Examples of air movingdevices include fans, blowers, and compressed air systems.

As used herein, “computing” includes any operations that can beperformed by a computer, such as computation, data storage, dataretrieval, or communications.

As used herein, “computing device” includes any of various devices inwhich computing operations can be carried out, such as computer systemsor components thereof. One example of a computing device is arack-mounted server. As used herein, the term computing device is notlimited to just those integrated circuits referred to in the art as acomputer, but broadly refers to a processor, a server, amicrocontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC),an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmablecircuits, and these terms are used interchangeably herein. Some examplesof computing devices include e-commerce servers, network devices,telecommunications equipment, medical equipment, electrical powermanagement and control devices, and professional audio equipment(digital, analog, or combinations thereof). In various embodiments,memory may include, but is not limited to, a computer-readable medium,such as a random access memory (RAM). Alternatively, a compact disc-readonly memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), and/or a digitalversatile disc (DVD) may also be used. Also, additional input channelsmay include computer peripherals associated with an operator interfacesuch as a mouse and a keyboard. Alternatively, other computerperipherals may also be used that may include, for example, a scanner.Furthermore, in the some embodiments, additional output channels mayinclude an operator interface monitor and/or a printer.

As used herein, “data center” includes any facility or portion of afacility in which computer operations are carried out. A data center mayinclude servers dedicated to specific functions or serving multiplefunctions. Examples of computer operations include informationprocessing, communications, simulations, and operational control.

As used herein, “mechanical cooling” means cooling of air by a processthat involves doing mechanical work on at least one fluid, such asoccurs in vapor-compression refrigeration systems.

As used herein, a “module” is a component or a combination of componentsphysically coupled to one another. A module may include functionalelements and systems, such as computer systems, circuit boards, racks,blowers, ducts, and power distribution units, as well as structuralelements, such a base, frame, housing, or container.

As used herein, “rack computing systems” means a computing system thatincludes one or more computing devices mounted in a rack.

As used herein, “reserve power” means power that can be supplied to anelectrical load upon the failure of, or as a substitute for, primarypower to the load.

As used herein, “room” means a room or a space of a building. As usedherein, “computer room” means a room of a building in which computingdevices, such as rack-mounted servers, are operated.

As used herein, a “space” means a space, area or volume.

In various embodiments, a system includes a turbine system thatgenerates electricity from fluid moved by a fluid-moving system. In someembodiments, a turbine system may reclaim energy that has been added tofluid by components in the fluid-moving system (for example, by a pumpthat moves fluid through the fluid-moving system.) FIG. 1 illustratesone embodiment of a data center including a turbine system forreclaiming energy from a cooling system in the data center. FIG. 2 is adetail view of a turbine system including a runner in a conduit of thefluid-moving system shown in FIG. 1. Data center 100 includes building102, cooling system 104, computing room 105, and energy reclamationsystem 106.

Cooling system 104 may remove heat from data center 100. Cooling system104 includes computer room air conditioning unit 108, cooling towersystem 110, and cooling system controller 111. Computer room airconditioning unit 108 may move air through computing room 105 to removeheat from electrical systems operating in the computing room. Coolingtower system 110 may remove heat from computer room air conditioningunit 108 and reject heat to outside air.

Computer room air conditioning unit 108 includes heat exchangers, airmoving device 118, supply duct 120, and return duct 122. Air movingdevice 118 may move air across heat exchangers in computer room airconditioning unit 108 and circulate air through computing room 105.

Cooling tower system 110 includes pump 130 and cooling tower 134. Waterfrom pump 130 is carried to heat exchangers in computer room airconditioning unit 108 by way of line 140. Heated water from computerroom air conditioning unit 108 is carried to cooling tower 134 by way ofcooling tower supply line 142. Water from cooling tower 134 may bereturned to pump by way of cooling tower return line 144. Water fromcooling tower 134 may also be expelled from building 102 by way ofdischarge line 146. Valve 148 may be used to control the flow of waterbetween discharge line 146 and suction line 150. Elements of coolingtower system 110 form a may include a closed loop that includes pump130, heat exchangers in computer room air conditioning unit 108, andcooling tower 134.

Energy reclamation system 106 includes turbine system 160 and electricalenergy storage system 162. Turbine system 160 includes turbine 164,generator 166, and turbine system controller 167. Turbine 164 isinstalled in conduit 165 of cooling tower return line 144. Turbine 164includes runner 168 and turbine shaft 170. Turbine shaft 170 may extendinto passage in conduit 165. Turbine system 160 may include one or moreseals to contain water in line at the point of entry into conduit 165.Runner 164 may rotation on turbine shaft 170. Runner 168 may rotate inresponse to water passing through conduit 165.

Generator 166 may be coupled to turbine 160 by way of a drive system.The drive system may include elements that link shaft 170 to an inputshaft in generator 166.

Elements linking a rotor to a generator may include, for example, one ormore sheaves coupled to one another by way a belt or chain.

In some embodiments, elements of the drive system are selected tocontrol a ratio for rotation of a rotor shaft relative to a generatorshaft. For example, a sheave and belt system may be used to establish a10:1 ratio between an input shaft of generator 166 and turbine shaft170. In certain embodiments, a turbine system includes a gearbox forcontrolling a ratio between rotation of a rotor and a generator shaft.

In some embodiments, turbine system 160 is operated to generateelectricity from water moving through cooling tower system 110. Forexample, as water moves through conduit 165, runner 168 may turn.Rotation of runner 168 may drive generator 166 to produce electricity.Electrical energy produced by rotation of the turbine may be stored inelectrical energy storage system 162.

In some embodiments, turbine system controller 167 controls operation ofturbine system 160 to generate electricity from moving liquid in coolingtower system 110. In one embodiment, turbine system controller 167includes a programmable logic controller. Turbine system controller 167may control, for example, whether turbine system 160 is on or off, arate of charging of energy storage device, or a gear ratio betweenrunner 168 and an input shaft of generator 166. In certain embodiments,turbine system controller 167 controls the release of water from areservoir at a higher elevation than turbine 164 (such as a reservoir incooling tower 134).

In some embodiments, electrical energy generated from a turbine coupledto a liquid moving system is used to provide electrical power foroperating components of a cooling system. For example, electrical energystorage system 162 may be used to supply power to cooling systemcontroller 111 or to air moving device 118. In some embodiments,electrical energy storage system 162 serves as a back-up electricalpower system for cooling system 104. In one embodiment, electricalenergy storage system 162 includes an uninterruptible power supply.

Computing room 105 includes rack computing systems 180 and data centerpower distribution system 182. Power distribution system 182 may drawpower from electrical energy storage system 162 and supply electricalpower to computing devices in rack computing systems 180. In someembodiments, power distribution system 182 uses power generated byenergy reclamation system 106 as a reserve power. For example, powersystem may draw from turbine-generated power only in the event of afailure of a primary power system. In one embodiment, power distributionsystem 182 includes an automatic transfer switch that switches powerfrom a primary power system to electrical energy storage system 162 inresponse to a failure in the primary power system.

In certain embodiments, a system draws from turbine-generated powerbased on varying loads in the data center. For example, powerdistribution system 182 may draw from electrical energy storage system162 when loads in the data center exceed a predetermined threshold (forexample, during peak operating times).

In some embodiments, electrical energy reclaimed from fluid in afluid-moving system by a turbine system is used to provide electricalpower for electrical systems in a building. In some embodiments,electrical energy generated from a turbine air system is used to provideelectrical power for operating components of a data center coolingsystem. For example, electrical energy storage system 162 may be used tosupply power to an air moving device, or components of air handling unitor chilled water sub-system. In one embodiment, electrical energyreclaimed from fluid by a turbine in a fluid-moving system is suppliedto a pump for the fluid-moving system. In some embodiments, electricalenergy storage system 162 serves as a back-up electrical power systemfor a cooling system. In one embodiment, electrical energy storagedevice 162 includes an uninterruptible power supply.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, turbine 164 is shown for illustrative purposes as apropeller-type horizontal-axis turbine. A turbine system maynevertheless be, in various embodiments, of any suitable type foroperating in moving fluid. A turbine may have a horizontal-axis,vertical-axis, or other axis alignment. The flow arrangement of aturbine may axial, radial, or a combination thereof. Examples of runnersfor a turbine include a set of blades, a propeller, or a screw. Bladesof a turbine may be straight, helical, or other shape. Turbines may bereaction-type or impulse-type.

In FIG. 1, an energy reclamation system is shown in a data center. Anenergy reclamation system with a fluid flow reclamation turbine maynevertheless, in various embodiments, be included in various other typesof buildings. Examples of buildings that may have a system forharnessing energy from moving liquids include an office building, afactory, a medical care facility, a residence, or a sports facility. Inone embodiment, an energy reclamation system with a fluid flowreclamation turbine is included in an industrial facility. Energyreclaimed from a fluid-moving system in a building may be usedimmediately or store for later use. Energy reclaimed from a fluid-movingsystem may be used to supply electrical power to any of variouselectrical systems in a building. Examples of electrical systems thatmay use power from a turbine in a fluid-moving system include roboticdevices, industrial machines, hospital equipment, office equipment, andtelecommunication systems.

In FIG. 1, a fluid flow turbine system is shown for illustrativepurposes harnessing energy from a fluid loop of a chilled water system.A fluid-flow turbine system may nevertheless, in various embodiments,harness energy from other fluid-moving systems in or connected to abuilding. In one embodiment, a fluid-flow turbine harnesses energycondensed steam that has been delivered to a building. In oneembodiment, a turbine harnesses energy from an evaporative coolingsystem. In certain embodiments, a turbine harnesses energy from apressurized gas system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a datacenter building with fluid-flow energy reclamation systems. System 200includes building 202, data center 204, cooling system energyreclamation system 206, and condensate energy reclamation system 210.

Data center 204 includes computing room 212, electrical powerdistribution system 214, rack computing systems 216, and CRAC unit 218.CRAC unit 218 may be operated to remove heat from computing devices 220operating in racks 222.

CRAC unit 268 may be coupled to computing room 262 by supply duct 226and return duct 228. Cooling air may flow from air handling sub-system224 through supply duct 226 into plenum 229. From plenum 229, coolingair may pass through into computing room 212. Cooling air may passthrough racks 222. After the air is heated by electrical systems inracks 222, the air may pass through return duct 228. Air may berecirculated through one or more air handling sub-systems or dischargedfrom the system through exhaust vent 230.

CRAC unit 218 includes fan 232, filter 234, return air dampers, outsideair vent 238, and outside air dampers. Fan 232 is coupled to VFD 240.VFD 240 is coupled to control unit 242. Return air vents may receive airreturning from data center room through return duct. Outside air vent238 may receive outside air. VFD 240 may receive control signals fromcontrol unit 242 and subsequently modulate a rotational velocity of fan232. In certain embodiments, an outside air damper, return air damper,exhaust damper, or combinations thereof, are modulated via a controlsystem to modulate air flow.

CRAC unit 218 includes chilled water subsystem 246. Chilled watersubsystem 246 may be coupled in heat transfer communication with airhandling sub-system 224. Chilled water sub-system 246 includes coils 248and valve 250. Valve 250 is coupled to control unit 242. Valve 250 maybe opened and closed by signals from control unit 242. The position ofvalve 250 may be used to regulate the use of chilled water to cool airin air handling sub-system 224. In one embodiment, a common chilledwater subsystem provides chilled water to two more air handlingsub-systems. In certain embodiments, each of two or more air handlingsub-systems is cooled by a dedicated chilled water subsystem.

Chilled water subsystem 246 is coupled to a chilled water heat removalsystem 252. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, chilled water heatremoval system 252 is a cooling tower system. Examples of chilled waterheat removal systems that may be included in other embodiments include aservice water subsystem or an air-conditioning refrigerant sub-system.

Control unit 242 may be programmed to control devices in handlingsub-systems 224 and/or chilled water sub-systems 246. Control unit 242may be coupled to fan 232, return air dampers, outside air dampers, andexhaust dampers. Control unit 242 may be in data communication withtemperature sensors and pressure sensors. Devices in air handlingsub-system 224 and chilled water sub-system 252 may be controlledautomatically, manually, or a combination thereof.

Electrical power system 214 may include one or more transformer,generators, switchgear apparatus, and primary power systems. Each ofprimary power systems may include a UPS and one or more floor powerdistribution units (“PDUs”).

Electrical systems in rack computing systems 216 may each receive powerfrom one or more of primary power systems. In one embodiment, each ofthe primary power systems corresponds to, and provides power to, theservers in one room in a data center. In one embodiment, each of theprimary power systems corresponds to, and provides power to, one racksystem in a data center.

Electrical power system 214 may be coupled to a utility feed. In certainembodiments, the utility feed is at a voltage of about 13.5 kilovolts or12.8 kilovolts at a frequency of about 60 Hz. A UPS may provideuninterrupted power to rack computing systems 216 in the event of apower failure upstream from the UPS.

Electrical power system 214 may include a reserve power system. Thereserve power system may provide reserve power for any or all of theelectrical systems supplied by one or more primary power systems. Insome embodiments, a reserve power system is powered up at all timesduring operation of a data center. The reserve power system may bepassive until a failure of one or more components of the primary powersystem for one or more of the electrical systems in the system, at whichtime the reserve power system may become active.

Control unit 242 is in data communication with temperature sensors,pressure sensors, or both. In certain embodiments, a control unitincludes at least one programmable logic controller. The PLC may, amongother things, regulate air moving devices and open and close valves ordampers in cooling air systems based upon command signals from anoperator to move air flow through a data center as necessary for theprevailing operational conditions. Alternatively, the PLC may modulatevalves and dampers between fully open and fully closed positions tomodulate airflow.

A control system may include temperature measurement devices that are,in one embodiment, thermocouples. Alternatively, the temperaturemeasurement devices include, but are not limited to, resistancetemperature detectors (RTDs) and any device that facilitate coolingoperation as described herein. For example, a thermocouple may bepositioned within mixing plenum to facilitate measuring a temperature ofthe air the mixing plenum.

Cooling system energy reclamation system 206 and condensate energyreclamation system 210 each include turbine systems 260. Each of turbinesystems 260 includes turbine 262, generator 264, screen device 266, andturbine bypass 268. Each of cooling system energy reclamation system 206and condensate energy reclamation system 210 may reclaim energy fromfluid through turbine system 260. Electrical power from generators 264from the operation of turbines 262 may be transmitted to electricalenergy storage device 270. Energy reclamation control unit 272 may beoperated to control electrical energy storage device 270, generators264, and the control of flow through turbines 262. For example, in oneembodiment, energy reclamation control unit 272 operates valves 276 onbypass 268.

Cooling system energy reclamation system 206 may harness energy fromliquid moving through chilled water heat removal system 252. Water maybe pumped by pump 282 through chilled water sub-system 246 and coolingtower 284. Valves may be opened to allow water from cooling tower 284 toflow through turbine system 260 of cooling system energy reclamationsystem 206. In some embodiments, water passing out of turbine system 260of cooling system energy reclamation system 206 may be discharged fromthe system (for example into a drain).

Condensate energy reclamation system 210 may harness energy captured incondensate reservoir 300. Water in condensate reservoir 300 may becollected from condensation of steam provided from a steam utility.Valves may be opened to allow water from condensate reservoir 300 toflow through turbine system 260 of condensate energy reclamation system210. In some embodiments, water passing out of turbine system 260 ofcondensate energy reclamation system 210 may be discharged fromcondensate energy reclamation system 210.

In some embodiments, a system includes a generator that is sealed withinfluid flow in a conduit. FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a turbinesystem having a sealed generator unit installed in a fluid conduit.System 320 includes turbine system 322 in conduit 324. Turbine system322 may be mounted in conduit 324. Turbine system 322 includes runner326 and generator unit 328. Generator unit 328 may be in a sealedhousing within a fluid flow in conduit 324. Electrical power produced ingenerator unit 328 from rotation of runner 326 may be transmittedthrough insulated electrical lines 330. Turbine system 322 may includevalves for directing fluid through dual bypass 332.

In some embodiments, a turbine system includes a helical runner. Invarious embodiments, the shaft of a helical runner may be orientedin-line with the direction of flow, perpendicular to the direction offlow, or any other suitable angle.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of an energy recovery system with aturbine system having a stator ring. System 340 includes turbine system342. Turbine system 342 receives fluid flow passing through pipe 343.The fluid-moving system in which pipe 343 is included may be similar tothat described above relative to FIG. 1.

Turbine system 342 includes turbine 344 and turbine control unit 346.Turbine 344 includes rotor 350 and stator ring 352. Rotor 350 includesblades 354 and magnetic elements 356. Turbine control unit 346 includescontrol unit 347 and energy storage device 348. Energy storage device348 may include an uninterruptible power supply.

As rotor 350 spins in response to liquid moving through turbine 342,motion of magnetic elements 356 relative to stator ring 352 may induceelectrical current in stator ring 352. Energy generated by turbine 352may be stored in energy storage device 348.

In some embodiments, fluid flow to a turbine is controlled to promoteelectricity generation. In one embodiment, fluid is channeled through apassage having a decreasing cross sectional area such that the velocityof fluid is higher when it passes through a turbine. For example,conduit 360 converges to neck 362. The intake of turbine is at a reducedcross section part of conduit 360, in this case, neck 362. The velocityof fluid flowing through conduit 360 at neck 362 may be higher than thevelocity of the fluid upstream from the intake of turbine 344.

In some embodiments, a runner of turbine includes magnetic elements thatdrive a motor mounted external to the flow of a fluid. FIG. 6 is crosssectional view of one embodiment of a turbine system having a generatormounted on the periphery of a pipe. Turbine system 380 includes runner382 and generator 384. Runner 382 is mounted for rotation in flow withinpipe 386. Runner 382 includes magnetic elements 388. As runner 382rotates in response to a flow of fluid through pipe 386, the motion ofmagnetic elements 388 relative to generator 384 may induce rotation ofrotor 390 of generator 384. FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view ofgenerator 384 taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6. Rotor 390 includesmagnets 392. Rotor 390 rotates about shaft 394. Electricity induced incoils 396 from rotation of rotor 390 may be transmitted via output lines398.

Energy produced by generator 384 may be stored in an electrical storagedevice, such as described above relative to FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a turbine system that includescounter-rotating runners. Turbine system 400 includes outer runner 402and inner runner 404. Outer runner 402 and inner runner 404 may rotatein opposite directions in response to flow through turbine system 400.Outer runner 402, inner runner 404, or both, may be coupled to agenerator to produce electricity. Electrical energy produced bygenerator 384 may be stored in an electrical storage device, such asdescribed above relative to FIG. 1.

In some embodiments, a system includes a mechanism for varying flowthrough a turbine in a liquid-moving system. FIG. 9 illustrates a systemwith a variable flow mechanism for a turbine. System 420 includesliquid-moving system 422, turbine system 424, flow control mechanism426, and energy recovery control unit 428. Flow control mechanism 426 iscoupled to energy recovery control unit 428. Flow control mechanism 426includes movable vanes 430. Flow control mechanism 426 may be controlledby energy recovery control unit 428 to alter flow to the intake ofturbine system 424. For example, flow control mechanism 426 may beoperated to divert a flow of liquid into turbine system 424, to increaseliquid velocity at the inlet of turbine system 424, or both. In someembodiments, a flow control mechanism for a turbine includes a variablenozzle.

In some embodiments, energy recovery control unit 428 operates flowcontrol mechanism 426 to optimize generation of electricity by turbinesystem 424. As an example, energy recovery control unit 428 may operateflow control mechanism 426 to vary the flow of liquid to turbine system424 based on a flow rate through liquid-moving system 422. In certainembodiments, energy recovery control unit 428 operates flow controlmechanism 426 to vary the flow to turbine system 424 based on a variablefrequency drive for an air moving device generating air flow to aturbine system. In one embodiment, flow control mechanism 426 may beoperated based on the frequency of a variable frequency drive for a pumpmoving liquid through turbine system 424.

FIG. 10 illustrates generating power from flow of fluid in a building.At 500, a turbine system is placed in a flow of liquid in aliquid-moving system in a building. In some embodiments, the liquid iswater. In some embodiments, the liquid moving system includes areservoir that is at a higher elevation than a runner for the turbinesystem.

At 502, electricity is generated from flow of the water through oracross a runner of the turbine system. The turbine may be oriented,positioned, or both, to promote motion of the runner.

At 504, electrical power from the turbine system is transmitted from thegenerator. In some embodiments, the electrical power is transmitted toan electrical storage device. The electrical energy storage device mayinclude, in one embodiment, an uninterruptable power supply. In someembodiments, the electrical power is immediately consumed by one or moreelectrical systems in the building. In some embodiments, a turbinesystem provides electrical power to electrical loads in a data center.In certain embodiments, a turbine system is used to provide supplementalor back-up power computing devices in a data center. In certainembodiments, a turbine system is used to provide back-up power tocooling systems the data center.

Although the embodiments above have been described in considerabledetail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent tothose skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated.It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace allsuch variations and modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data center, comprising: a plurality ofcomputing devices; a fluid-moving system, comprising an elevatedreservoir configured to collect liquid from a subsystem of thefluid-moving system at an elevated location in the data center; aturbine system at a lower elevation in the data center than the elevatedlocation; and one or more conduits connecting the elevated reservoir andthe turbine system, wherein the turbine system comprises: a turbinecomprising one or more runners in a flow of liquid in at least one ofthe conduits; and a generator configured to produce electricity fromrotation of at least one of the runners in the flow of liquid.
 2. Thedata center of claim 1, wherein the fluid-moving system comprises asteam subsystem, and wherein the elevated reservoir of the fluid-movingsystem is configured to collect condensed steam from the steamsubsystem.
 3. The data center of claim 1, wherein the fluid-movingsystem comprises an evaporative cooling subsystem, and wherein theelevated reservoir of the fluid-moving system is configured to collectwater from the evaporative cooling subsystem.
 4. The data center ofclaim 1, wherein the fluid-moving system comprises a cooling towersubsystem, and wherein the elevated reservoir of the fluid-moving systemis configured to collect water that has passed through the cooling towersubsystem.
 5. The data center of claim 1, wherein the fluid-movingsystem further comprises: a pump; and one or more additional conduits,wherein the pump is configured to cause liquid to flow from a lowerelevation in the data center to a higher elevation in the data centervia the one or more additional conduits, wherein the higher elevation inthe data center is at an elevation in the data center greater than orequal to the elevated location of the elevated reservoir.
 6. The datacenter of claim 1, wherein the fluid-moving system further comprises: acontrol unit; and one or more flow control mechanisms, wherein thecontrol unit is configured to cause the one or more flow controlmechanisms to move to adjust the flow of liquid through the turbine. 7.The data center of claim 1, further comprising: an energy storage systemconfigured to store electricity produced by the generator.
 8. The datacenter of claim 7, wherein the energy storage system comprises anuninterruptible power supply configured to provide uninterruptible powersupport to at least some of the plurality of computing devices of thedata center.
 9. A system, comprising: a building; a fluid-moving systemcomprising an elevated reservoir configured to collect a liquid from asubsystem of the fluid moving system at an elevated location in thebuilding; a turbine system at a lower elevation in the building than theelevated location; and one or more conduits connecting the elevatedreservoir and the turbine system, wherein the turbine system comprises:a turbine comprising one or more runners in a flow of liquid in at leastone of the one or more conduits; and a generator configured to produceelectricity from rotation of at least one of the one or more runners inthe flow of liquid; a control unit; and one or more flow controlmechanisms, wherein the control unit is configured to cause the one ormore flow control mechanisms to move to adjust the flow of liquidthrough the turbine.
 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising anenergy storage device configured to store electrical energy produced bythe generator, wherein the energy storage device provides back-upelectrical power for a cooling system of the building.
 11. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the fluid-moving system comprises an evaporativecooling subsystem, and wherein the elevated reservoir of thefluid-moving system is configured to collect water from the evaporativecooling subsystem.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the fluid-movingsystem comprises a steam subsystem, and wherein the elevated reservoirof the fluid-moving system is configured to collect condensed steam fromthe steam subsystem.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the fluid-movingsystem comprises a cooling tower subsystem, wherein the elevatedreservoir of the fluid-moving system is configured to collect water thathas passed through the cooling tower subsystem.
 14. The system of claim9, wherein the control unit is configured to control a rate of releaseof liquid from the elevated reservoir.
 15. A system comprising: anelevated liquid collection reservoir configured to collect liquid from asubsystem of a fluid-moving system; a turbine system at lower elevationthan the elevated liquid collection reservoir; and one or more conduitsconnecting the elevated liquid collection reservoir and the turbinesystem, wherein the turbine system comprises: a turbine comprising oneor more runners in a flow of liquid in at least one of the conduits; agenerator configured to produce electricity from rotation of at leastone of the runners in the flow of liquid; a control unit; and one ormore flow control mechanisms, wherein the control unit is configured tocause the one or more flow control mechanisms to move to adjust the flowof liquid through the turbine.
 16. The system of claim 15 furthercomprising: an energy storage device configured to store electricityproduced by the generator.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the oneor more flow control mechanisms are mounted upstream of the turbine. 18.The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more flow control mechanismscomprise one or more variable nozzles.
 19. The system of claim 15,further comprising a fluid-moving system, wherein the liquid collectionreservoir is a part of the fluid-moving system, and wherein the controlunit is configured to adjust a quantity of a liquid circulating throughthe fluid-moving system that is diverted to flow through the turbine.20. The system of claim 19, wherein the quantity of the liquid that isdiverted to flow through the turbine is discharged from the fluid-movingsystem subsequent to flowing through the turbine.